South Korean, Japanese leaders vow to enhance ties in face of worldwide uncertainty

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met of their first summit on Thursday (October 30, 2025), pledging to strengthen ties which were continuously strained by their bitter wartime historical past.

Their assembly in South Korea got here after each launched appeal offensives towards U.S. President Donald Trump, who visited their nations and pressed the 2 key U.S. allies to finish their large U.S. funding pledges.

Meeting with Ms. Takaichi forward of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, Mr. Lee mentioned South Korea and Japan share widespread challenges within the face of “quickly altering worldwide dynamics and commerce situations” and that their future-oriented cooperation was extra vital than ever.

Ms. Takaichi mentioned trilateral cooperation between Tokyo, Seoul and Washington is changing into more and more essential “beneath the present strategic surroundings,” in keeping with Lee’s workplace.

The two leaders agreed to proceed their “shuttle diplomacy,” wherein they take turns internet hosting summits, Mr. Lee’s workplace mentioned in a press release.